What to do if you lose your medical marijuana card

If you’ve lost your medical cannabis card, the process of getting a new one can vary based on the state you live in. Most states that use physical cards require you to complete an online form and pay a fee for a replacement card.

However, some states are transitioning away from physical cards in favor of digital copies. In this case, you can use your digital card without having to replace the physical copy.

Find out the process of replacing your medical card according to your state.

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What to do about a lost medical marijuana card

The process for getting a replacement medical cannabis card varies depending on your state.

Contact your card provider

If you live in one of these states, you can simply contact Leafwell and pay a $20 fee for a replacement of your physical card or certificate:

• California
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island

Use your digital card

Some states now issue digital medical cannabis cards. In this case, you don’t need to replace your physical copy. Instead, you can simply show your digital card on your phone at a dispensary. These states include:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Print out a new copy

Other states email your medical card to you or provide access to it through a patient portal, and you must print out a copy to use at dispensaries. In this case, you can redownload it from either your initial approval email or the state’s patient portal and reprint it. These states include:

• Arkansas
• Minnesota
• Utah

Purchase a new physical card

In some states, you are given a digital card by default, but have the option to pay for a physical copy. If you lose your physical card, you can still use your digital copy. Or, you can request a replacement copy of your physical card for a fee. These states include:

• Alabama: Submit a request for a replacement card to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and pay a $25 fee.
• Maryland: Log in to the patient portal to access the form for a replacement copy and pay the $50 fee.
• Michigan: View your options for requesting a replacement for your physical card here. There is no fee.
• New Jersey: Visit the state’s patient portal to request a new physical card. The state’s website does not mention a fee.
• Washington,D.C.: Fill out this form and email it to ABCA.CannabisInfo@dc.gov. There’s a $10 replacement fee.

Request a new card be sent by mail

The remaining states that have medical cannabis programs require you to replace a lost physical card, which will be sent to you by mail:

• Alaska: Alaska does not have a written protocol for replacing medical cards. Contact the state’s department of health to request a replacement.
• Connecticut: Fill out this form and pay a $35 fee.
• Delaware: Log in to the patient portal to fill out this form and pay a $20 fee.
• Florida: Fill out this form and pay a $15 fee.
• Georgia: Request a replacement card by contacting the state via email (THCRegistry@dph.ga.gov) or phone (770-909-2765). After the state verifies your information with your doctor, they will ship a new card for a fee of $25.
• Massachusetts: Log in to the state’s patient portal to request a new card and pay the $10 fee.
• Montana: Complete the ‘Report Lost Patient Card’ application within the TransAction Portal and pay a $10 fee.
• Nevada: You can request a replacement card by emailing MMRegistry@health.nv.gov. The state’s website does not mention a replacement fee.
• North Dakota: Follow the steps in this document to request a replacement card. There’s no fee if it’s your first time requesting a replacement. If it’s your second time, you’ll need to pay $25.
• Oklahoma: Log in to your OMMA portal, complete a replacement card request, and pay the $20 fee.
• Oregon: Oregon charges $100 for a replacement medical card. The fee is reduced to $20 with proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or veteran status. The fee may be waived for qualified veterans who provide proof of a 50% or more disability rating. You’ll need to submit a replacement card request form and applicable fees by mail.
• Pennsylvania: Request a replacement under the ‘profile settings’ tab of your account on the Pennsylvania registry website. There’s a $25 fee if you’re replacing your card for the first time. This fee increases to $50 for subsequent replacements.
• South Dakota: Visit the state’s patient portal to request a new card and pay the $20 fee.
• Vermont: There’s currently no protocol for replacement cards in Vermont. Contact the state’s Cannabis Control Board for next steps, which may involve restarting your application process from scratch and paying the $50 fee.
• Washington: Washington requires you to visit a licensed dispensary and speak with a medical cannabis consultant about replacing your card. They will verify your identity, find you in the patient registry, and issue you a new card for a small fee ($1 minimum).

Do you need to have a physical card?

Not all states require you to have a physical medical cannabis card to make a dispensary purchase. The rules vary depending on where you live.

Some states, including Kentucky, Illinois, and Virginia, primarily issue digital cards. Louisiana and Texas do not issue physical or digital medical cards at all.

Can you buy from a dispensary if you’ve lost your card?

In most cases, you must have your medical cannabis card on hand — whether it’s physical or digital — to make a purchase from a dispensary and receive cardholder benefits.

Some states, like New Jersey, automatically send you a digital copy of your medical card upon approval. In this case, you can simply show your digital card on your phone when you enter a dispensary.

If your state does not offer digital copies, you’ll need to check your state’s rules on purchasing cannabis before you receive a physical replacement of your medical card. Some states may provide a temporary digital card to use while you wait for your replacement card to arrive in the mail.

If you live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal, you can purchase from a dispensary without a medical card as long as you’re at least 21 years old.

However, without your medical card, you may face certain restrictions, such as lower purchase limits. You might also pay more in taxes, as many states offer tax breaks for medical cardholders.

The bottom line: Each state has its own rules for replacing a lost medical card 

The process for replacing a lost medical cannabis card differs between states. In some states, you must apply for a replacement card and pay a fee. In other states, you can simply use the digital card that was sent to you when you were first approved.

If you’ve lost your medical cannabis card and are seeking state-specific guidance, contact Leafwell to help you figure out the next steps.

Get your medical marijuana card

Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.

• 
  Larger purchase limits
• 
  Access to higher potency strains
• 
  Save up to 40% on product taxes
• 
  Enhanced legal protection

Select State

Get started